Day 1. Pain.

In a 2 1/2 hour appointment I got braces today. Amazing that Dr. Waldman placed each brace himself, by hand, without guidelines or measurements and they all line up! If I put them in they'd bob up and down like a boat in a hurricane. Alda, his assistant, was very careful, patient and great at explaining every step.

Had odd thoughts during the procedure. Could I really afford this? It's not cosmetic; long term goal is to use the sleep appliance to relieve mild apnea.

Another odd thought: this is so First World. Meaning, totally living on the high end of the planet's resources. Not easy on my carbon footprint.

Lunch was interesting -- ordered soup and soft foods (soba noodles at Real Food Daily). Odd having food get caught between the braces and my gums.

People at work said they weren't obvious.

Strange having this wire and these brackets attached to my teeth. Like an alien in my mouth. Started to get painful in the afternoon. Hard to eat dinner.

Only 269 days to go!